Followers

Monday, February 09, 2009

Flames caused heavy damage to a large two-story home in Isla Vista yesterday, displacing a family of six, fire officials said.

Emergency calls came in at approximately 11:58 a.m. and fire crews arrived on the scene four minutes later, County Fire Capt. Eli Iskow said. Smoke and flames were pouring from the windows and deck of the single-family home at 779 Camino Pescadero.

“Firefighters advanced hoselines inside the structure and knocked down the fires on both floors while searching for any trapped victims,” Iskow said in a news release. “Six occupants had gotten out of the house before firefighters arrived.”

Fire crews had the fire under control within 21 minutes, containing it to two bedrooms and an outside deck. However, smoke caused extensive damage throughout the 5,000-plus square-foot building, Iskow said.

Total damage is estimated at $100,000. A firefighter also suffered minor steam burns to his hand while fighting the blaze, Iskow said.

He said the mother of the family staying in the home heard a smoke alarm go off just as she began to smell smoke. After removing their four children from the home, the parents called 911.

“Because of information from the person reporting the fire to 911, during the initial dispatch of County Fire equipment there was mention that possibly a candle was involved in the start of the fire,” Iskow said. “That has not yet been confirmed and the cause and origin of the fire is currently under investigation.”

The family displaced by the blaze will be staying with family, authorities said. Iskow noted that a smoke alarm alerted the residents and urged all community members to frequently check that their alarms are functioning properly.